I have always been a fan of all Indian art forms, tradition Indian and folk dances have always intrigued me. Growing up in Mumbai, the most prominent regional dance form has been Lavani and to see the women do it with such sensuality keeping the innate culture is very interesting!
This is the beauty of Indian women, within the timid and petit exterior rests a powerful lioness. Like most Indian dance forms, Lavani too focuses on intricate movements and detailing. A free-spirited dance, the energy and fast-paced foot movements make it an interesting dance to watch. What is extremely important in this dance form is performance. Primarily starting off as a dance to entice the men, the expressions are bold and daring.
Bollywood really has the ability of bringing the entire country together as it displays the music and dance of each region with a unique flavor. Lavani represents the fiery and independent spirit synonymous with the evolution of Bollywood. Tracing it back to the actresses of the yesteryears, the quintessential dancer Helen performed it too. Her vibrant energy, performance and style gave a new twist to Lavani, a commercial feel to the traditional form.
Audiences always take a liking to content that they can relate to. Ethnic dance forms are a part of us, our heritage, and our pride. Today, when the Indian Cinema has such a strong Western influence, dance too finds inspiration from the West. But there is a mass appeal when the song speaks an emotion that is closer home.
The response I’ve seen in theatres when the song has a rugged Indian touch is infectious! Each dance style has a story behind it, an origin that adds to its rich tradition. As is with most dance forms, respectability and recognition only came in over time. Even as we see with Lavani which was done in royal courts in the olden times has journeyed from a source of entertainment for men to a dance form that now speaks of the independent spirit of women. In a way it speaks of the progress of women in our society, emerging out of the closed doors and venturing into various fields today.
One of my favourite dancers in Bollywood, Madhuri is flawless in any dance style she does. She is just so expressive, she puts in her soul in each movement that she does, Madhuri really sets the stage on fire. She has always left a mark whenever she has performed on screen, whether it is Lavani or any other Indian dance form! She can be graceful and yet to sensuous at the same time. Humko Aaj Kal Hai from 1990 Aditya Pancholi starrer Sailaab is still so fresh in my memory, Sarojji’s magic and Madhuri’s finesse made this song a Lavani miracle in Indian Cinema.
India celebrates its traditions, the festivals and ceremonies. There is so much colour and life in everything that we do. This reflects in our dance forms as well. The colourful Lavani saris and the nakhras add to the entire performance. We have all grown up watching it and it still generates the same excitement amongst all!
The recent star to bring the house down with Lavani is our Chikni Chameli Katrina. I recently choreographed her for an award ceremony and the way she moved could give anyone a run for their money! She has come such a long way, from the time she came to Bollywood and how beautifully she has embodied the style over time. Born in the UK, you can see how she moved gracefully, it was as if she was born and brought up in India.
Rani Mukerji is all set to enter this league of the Lavani ladies and as she has already shown her acting versatility in the past. I’m sure will add another feather in her illustrious cap!
What started off as an erotic dance form has found respect and a structure today. The ruggedness and the earthy feel blended with Bollywood’s spice have really made Lavani a popular style to reckon with. It is one of the most sought after style in Indian Cinema and its phenomenal popularity is testimony to how special this dance form is to us!
The writer is a well-known contemporary dance choreographer
